The following article was originally posted on The Message. View the story on page 22 here.
Women’s Religious Orders Serving the Diocese of Evansville
THE DAUGHTERS OF CHARITY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL
When was your congregation founded?
The Daughters of Charity were founded in 1633.
What is your order?
The Daughters of Charity are a Society of Apostolic Life, given to God, in Community for the service of the poor.
When and where did your order begin?
The Daughters of Charity were founded in 1633 in Paris, France.
What is the mission [statement] of your congregation?
Inspired by the Gospel vision of St. Vincent de Paul, St. Louise de Marillac and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the Daughters of Charity are given to God in Community, for the service of persons living in poverty.
How many members are in your congregation?
There are 17,000 Daughters of Charity serving in the world.
What is the primary charism of your congregation?
The charism of the Daughters of Charity is to serve Christ in persons who are poor.
Where do your members live and minister?
The Daughters of Charity are a worldwide community located in 94 countries and on every continent (except Antarctica).
What are your ministries?
The Daughters of Charity minister in healthcare, education, social ministry, prisons, with the homeless, abandoned children, parish ministry, ministry with immigrants, children and families, human trafficking and any need in the service of those who are poor that we are able to respond to.
How long have your Sisters ministered in the Diocese of Evansville, and what are their ministries?
The Daughters of Charity have ministered in the Evansville diocese for 142 years. The Sisters minister in healthcare, child care, parish ministry, spiritual advising, religious education, prayer ministry, retreat ministry and volunteering.
What message do you have from your congregation to the readers of The Message?
The love of Jesus Christ crucified impels us. This motto of the Daughters of Charity has inspired its members serving in Evansville, for the past 142 years, to reach out in love and receive in love. In collaboration with the people of Evansville, we look forward to allowing this Spirit to impel us to heed Pope Francis’s call to reach out and touch the lives of those who are poor.